JP4396367B2 - Image recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus that prints image data on paper, and more particularly to an image recording apparatus having a stapling function for binding printed recording paper.

  Recently, an image recording apparatus such as a digital multi-function peripheral or a normal printer having a copying function, a facsimile function, a printing function, a scanner function, etc. collects recording paper discharged after image recording, and drives staples on a part thereof. In some cases, post-processing apparatuses that perform post-processing are used in combination.

  In the image recording apparatus having the stapling function as described above, if printing is temporarily interrupted due to a paper jam or the like during execution of a print job instructed for stapling, if printing is resumed from the middle of the number of copies, Since there is a possibility that the page is missing, stapling cannot be performed.

  On the other hand, if printing is started again from the first page when printing is resumed, stapling can be performed. For example, if a jam occurs on the 99th sheet while printing 100 sheets, printing 100 sheets again, There was a problem that the already printed paper was wasted.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and when printing is temporarily interrupted during execution of a print job for which stapling is instructed, the user determines whether to print again from the first page when resuming. An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus that can perform the above-described process.

In order to achieve the above object, an image recording apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an image recording unit that prints image data, a stapler unit that binds recording paper printed by the image recording unit, and a display / operation unit. And a control unit that controls each of the above-mentioned units, and when the printing operation instructed to staple is interrupted, whether to resume printing manually or automatically can be set on the display / operation unit. In the case of automatic resumption of printing, in the image recording apparatus in which the control unit automatically resumes printing, when resuming printing automatically, the upper limit number of reprints when printing from the first page is displayed as above. -It can be set with the operation unit.

The invention according to claim 2, in the image recording apparatus according to claim 1, if the page continued to resume printing, the control unit and inhibits the staples in the stapler unit.

According to the image recording apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, when the printing operation instructed for stapling is interrupted, it is possible to set whether to resume printing manually or automatically, and to automatically resume printing. If you want to print from the first page, you can set the maximum number of reprints when printing from the first page. If the number of already printed sheets is less than the specified number, the print is automatically printed from the first page. As a result, work efficiency can be increased.

According to the image recording apparatus of the invention according to claim 2, if the page continued to resume printing, the staple in the stapler unit is prohibited, incomplete such that a portion of the page is missing Staples in the state can be prevented.

  Hereinafter, an example in which the image recording apparatus of the present invention is applied to a digital multi-function peripheral having a copy mode, a printer mode, a fax mode, etc. will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of a digital multi-function peripheral. As shown in the figure, the digital multi-function peripheral has a CPU 1, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 2, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 3, a display / operation. 4, reading unit 5, image memory 6, recording unit 7, codec 8, modem 9, network control unit NCU 10, stapler unit 11, and LAN interface (I / F) 12. Has been.

  The CPU 1 controls each part of the hardware of the digital multifunction peripheral via the bus 13 and executes various programs based on the programs stored in the ROM 2. The ROM 2 performs various programs and operations necessary for the operation of the digital multifunction peripheral. Messages are stored in advance. The RAM 3 is composed of SRAM or the like, and stores temporary data generated when the program is executed. When the printing is temporarily interrupted during execution of the print job instructed for stapling, the printing is resumed. Manual flag storage area 3a for storing a manual flag for determining whether to perform automatically or manually, upper limit number storage area 3b for storing the upper limit number of reprints when printing is automatically restarted, and stapling A staple prohibition flag storage area 3c for storing a staple prohibition flag for prohibiting the function.

  The display / operation unit 4 includes a display unit for displaying an operation state of the digital multifunction peripheral or displaying an operation screen for various functions, and a plurality of keys for operating the digital multifunction peripheral. As described above, the display unit 21 includes an LCD display unit 21 constituting a display unit and a number of operation keys. The LCD display unit 21 is provided with a touch panel switch, and by pressing an item portion displayed on the LCD display unit 21, a corresponding item can be selected and a function can be executed. As operation keys, a numeric keypad 22, a start key 23, a reset key 24, a stop key 25, a plurality of one-touch dial keys 26, a cross key 27, a return key 28, a set key 29, a FAX switching key 30, a copy switching key 31, Various keys such as a scanner switching key 32 are provided. It should be noted that some or all of these operation keys can be substituted by the LCD display unit 21.

  The reading unit 5 includes a reading document placing table such as an auto document feeder (ADF) or a flatbed scanner (FBS), reads a document with a scanner using a CCD or the like, and outputs dot image data converted into black and white binary. . The image memory 6 is configured by using a DRAM or the like, and stores image data to be transmitted or received image data or image data to be copied. The recording unit 7 includes an electrophotographic printer device and the like. Printed data, copy original data, or print data transmitted from an external personal computer (PC). The printer unit of the recording unit 7 is provided with a paper jam sensor 7a for detecting a paper jam and a tray paper presence / absence sensor 7b for detecting the presence / absence of paper in a paper discharge tray.

  The codec 8 compresses the image information to be transmitted by a certain encoding method, and decodes the received image data to restore the original information. The modem 9 is connected to the bus 13 and has a function as a fax modem capable of facsimile communication. The modem 9 is also connected to the NCU 10 connected to the bus 13. The NCU 10 is hardware for closing and opening the analog line, and connects the modem 9 to the telephone line as necessary.

  The stapler unit 11 performs a stapling process on the paper recorded by the recording unit 7, and as shown in the recording mechanism diagram including the photosensitive drum 41, the fixing device 42, and the like in FIG. The stapler 45 is disposed on the paper terminal side of the paper discharge tray 44. The stapler 45 is movably disposed in the vicinity of the paper terminal, moves to the staple processing position only during the stapling operation, and moves back to a position that does not interfere with the movement of the recording paper at other times. The recording paper can be stapled at an arbitrary position. The paper discharge tray 44 is provided with the tray sheet presence / absence sensor 7b.

  The LAN interface 12 is connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) and receives signals and data from an external personal computer (PC) 15 via the LAN 14 while transmitting signals and data to the LAN 14. Yes, interface processing such as signal conversion and protocol conversion is executed.

  The digital multi-function peripheral has the above-described configuration. When the facsimile is transmitted, the image data of the original is read by the reading unit 5, compressed by the codec 8, and stored in the image memory 6. The compressed image data is read from the image memory 6, modulated by the modem 9, and transmitted from the NCU 10 to the communication partner through the public telephone line. At the time of facsimile reception, the received image data is demodulated by the modem 9, stored in the image memory 6, decoded by the codec 8, and printed by the recording unit 7. That is, in FIG. 3, the recording paper is fed to the photosensitive drum 41 by the conveying roller 43, and the developed toner image on the photosensitive drum 41 is transferred to the recording paper. After the toner image transferred to the recording paper is fixed by the fixing device 42, the recording paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 44.

In this digital multi-function peripheral, when printing is temporarily interrupted due to a paper jam or the like during printing in the staple mode, it is possible to set whether to resume printing automatically or manually. The operation will be described below.
When the stapling function is instructed from the screen of the display unit 21, a function setting selection screen such as stapling position setting and finisher print resumption setting is displayed on the display unit 21. When finisher print resumption setting is selected on this screen, the display unit 21 displays A finisher print restart setting screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. When printing is temporarily interrupted on this screen, the user can select whether to resume printing manually or manually, and when the user presses the “manual” column of the display unit 21. The manual flag stored in the manual flag storage area 3a of the RAM 3 is set. On the other hand, when the user inputs, for example, 10 from the numeric keypad 22 and presses the “automatic” column, the manual flag stored in the manual flag storage area 3a of the RAM 3 is reset and the number “10” is set. Is stored in the upper limit number storage area 3b of the RAM 3.

Next, an operation when an execution of a print job instructed for stapling is instructed from an external PC 15 connected via the LAN 14 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.
When the print job is started, the CPU 1 determines whether or not a jam has occurred due to the output of the paper jam sensor 7a (step 101). If it is determined that a jam has occurred, the CPU 1 determines whether the jam has been released (step 102). If the jam is removed by removing the jammed paper by the user and it is determined that the jam is released, the CPU 1 has set the manual flag stored in the manual flag storage area 3a of the RAM 3. It is determined whether or not (step 103).

  When this manual flag is set, the CPU 1 reads the inquiry screen shown in FIG. 6 from the ROM 2 and displays an inquiry screen having a selection field for the user to select whether to print from the beginning or from the next. 21 (step 104). Next, the CPU 1 determines whether or not reprinting is performed from the first page by determining whether the user has pressed the “from the beginning” column or the “from” column (step 105).

  When the user presses the “from the beginning” field, the CPU 1 reads a message “please remove the paper on the tray” from the ROM 2 and displays it on the display unit 21 (step 106). Next, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the paper on the paper discharge tray 44 has been removed based on the output of the paper presence sensor 7b (step 107). If the paper has not been removed, the process returns to step 107. When the user removes the paper from the tray 44, the CPU 1 starts reprinting from the first page (step 108) and returns to step 101.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 103 that the manual flag has been reset, the CPU 1 determines whether the number of sheets already printed is greater than the number of sheets stored in the upper limit number storage area 3b of the RAM 3, for example, ten sheets. Is determined (step 109). If the number of printed sheets is more than 10, the CPU 1 sets a staple prohibition flag stored in the staple prohibition flag storage area 3c of the RAM 3 (step 110). Next, the CPU 1 resumes printing from the next page (step 111), and then returns to step 101.

If it is determined in step 109 that the number of sheets already printed is less than 10, the CPU 1 moves to step 106 and performs the reprint operation from the first page as described above.
Further, if the user presses the “Continue” column in Step 105, the CPU 1 moves to Step 110, sets the staple prohibition flag, and then resumes printing from the subsequent page.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 101 that no jam has occurred, the CPU 1 determines whether or not printing of the last page of the page to be printed has been completed (step 112), and printing of the last page is completed. If not, the process returns to step 101.
If it is determined in step 112 that the printing of the last page has been completed, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the staple prohibition flag stored in the staple prohibition flag storage area 3c of the RAM 3 is set (step 113). . When the table prohibition flag is not set, the CPU 1 performs a stapler operation. In other words, the stapler 45 moves to the staple processing position, and performs processing for stapling the recording paper on the paper discharge tray 44 with staples. When this stapling process is performed, the recorded paper is aligned by a mechanism (not shown), but details are omitted.
If it is determined in step 113 that the table prohibit flag is set, the CPU 1 terminates the program without performing the above stapling operation.

As described above, when the printing operation instructed to be stapled is interrupted due to a jam or the like, the display unit displays an inquiry as to whether or not to print from the first page, so that the user can print from the first page again. It is possible to decide according to the situation whether to print or continue printing.
Also, when recording from the rest of the page, because the staples in the stapler unit is prohibited, it is possible to prevent the staples in an incomplete state such as a portion of a page is missing, further resumption of printing When performing automatic printing, you can set the maximum number of reprints when printing from the first page.If the number of printed pages is less than the preset number, Can be printed from this page, and work efficiency can be improved.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where printing is temporarily interrupted due to paper jam has been described. However, the image recording apparatus of the present invention can also be applied when printing is interrupted due to running out of paper in the cassette.
In the above embodiment, the example in which the image recording apparatus of the present invention is applied to a digital multi-function peripheral having a copying function, a facsimile function, a printing function, a scanner function, etc. has been described. It can be applied to other printers.

1 is a schematic block diagram of a digital multi-function peripheral that implements an image recording apparatus of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the operation panel of a digital multifunction device. It is a figure which shows the detail of the post-processing part containing an image recording part. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a print resumption setting screen. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when a print job instructed to be stapled is executed. It is a figure which shows the inquiry screen of whether to restart printing from one page.

Explanation of symbols

1 CPU
2 ROM
3 RAM
4 Display / Operation Unit 5 Reading Unit 6 Image Memory 7 Recording Unit 8 Codec 9 Modem 10 NCU
11 Stapler part 12 LAN I / F
13 bus 14 LAN
15 PC
7a Paper Jam Sensor 7b Tray Paper Presence Sensor 21 Display Unit 41 Photosensitive Drum 42 Fixing Device 43 Conveying Roller 44 Paper Discharge Tray 45 Stapler

Claims (2)

An image recording unit that prints image data, a stapler unit that binds recording paper printed by the image recording unit, a display / operation unit, and a control unit that controls each unit, and a printing operation in which staples are instructed In case of interruption, the display / operation unit can set whether to resume printing manually or automatically. In the case of automatic printing resumption, the control unit automatically resumes printing. In the image recording apparatus, when resuming printing automatically, an upper limit number of reprints when printing from the first page can be set by the display / operation unit. 2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the printing is resumed from a subsequent page , the control unit prohibits stapling in the stapler unit.

Images